Beverage holder



Feb. 19, 1957 w. w. LOVELAND BEVERAGE HOLDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 2, 1953 IN VENTOR Wallace m Laue/and Feb. 19, 1957 w. w. LOVELAND 2,781,959

BEVERAGE HOLDER Filed Dec. 2, 1953 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR al/ace (4 Love/and ATTORNEY W. W. LOVELAND BEVERAGE HOLDER Feb. 19, 1957 I Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 2, 1953 I INVENTOR Wallace W Lope/and United States Patent C BEVERAGE HOLDER Wallace W. Loveland, Newport, Minn.

Application December 2, 1953, Serial No. 395,720

15 Claims. (Cl. 224-29) This invention relates to an improvement in beverage holder and deals particularly with a device capable of holding cans and bottles suspended.

Many persons follow the practice of taking bottles or cans of beverage in a boat While fishing. In some instances where space within the boat is at a premium, it is difficult to maintain such beverages at a low temperature. Even when the necessary space is available, it is often time consuming and cumbersome to carry a cooler for containing the bottles or cans of beverage. The present invention resides in the provision of a device of the class described which enables the bottles or cans to be suspended in the water which is usually sufiiciently cool to hold the beverages at the desired temperature.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of an elongated, flexible member such as a chain or cord having a series of can and bottle engaging elements connected in spaced relation thereto. In preferred form, the can and bottle engagingelements are alternated along the length of the flexible member as usually only one type of beverage container is used at a time and therefore alternating the bottle and can engaging members acts to space the containers supported a greater distance apart. if preferred, only one type ofcontainer holder may be employed where only bottles or cans are to be supported.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a bottle or can holder which may comprise an element designed to encircle the body of the can or the neck of a bottle to hold the container engaged. Usually' the can or bottle encircling member is formed of resilient material, although a flexible cord which frictionally en gages about the bottle or can has also been employed.

A further feature of the present invention resides in a device of the class described which may if desired be used as a fish stringer or may incorporate a fish stringer. As a result a device capable of serving a dual purpose may be provided.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an anchoring means which may comprise a bottle opener of elongated form attached to one end of a flexible member and which is engageable through a ring supported in the flexible member at a distance from the end. By looping the end portion of the flexible member through or around the portion of the boat and inserting the can opener through the ring, the opener may form a lock for holding the end of the flexible member anchored.

An added feature of one form of construction of my device comprises forming a resilient body of material with two spaced apertures which are slightly smaller in diameter than the neck of a bottle and the body of a can, respectively. When it is desired to support a series of cans, a detachable fastening means is inserted through the smaller diameter opening to attach each element to the elongated, flexible member. The other ends of the resilient elements may then be expanded to encircle cans.

1 Ce r 2,781,959

Patented Feb. 19, 1957 If bottles are to be supported, the resilient elements are reversed.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view or" a flexible connector having a series of bottle and can supporting elements detachably connected thereto.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of one of the resilient elements removed from the chain.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the resilient element may encircle the body of a can.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the manner in which the resilient element may be attached to a bottle.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of bottle and can engaging elements.

Figuire 6 is a plan view of a bottle engaging element removed from the supporting chain.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a can engaging element showing the construction thereof.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the bottle engagingelement supports a bottle.

Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the can engaging element engages a can.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of can and bottle engaging element.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the can engaging element supports a can.

Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the bottle engaging element engages a bottle.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the manner in which any of the flexible members may be anchored to a boat or other object.

The beverage holder shown in Figure l is indicated in general by the letter A. It includes an elongated chain or cord 10 which is secured at one end to a ring 11. A second section of chain or cord 12 is also linked to the ring 11. A can and bottle opener 13 is provided with an aperture 14 intermediate its ends for accommodation of a small anchoring ring 15 which connects the center portion of the elongated can opener to the chain section 12.

A series of hooks 16 are securedto the chain 10 at longitudinally spaced points. The type of hook employed may be varied substantially. In the particular form of construction illustrated, the hook 16 includes a looped end 17 having one shank 19 extending'therefrom for a substantial distance. The shank 19 is bent at 20 to include an angularly extending portion 21 which is bent at 22 to include an end portion 23.

A generally triangular clip 24 is bent to provide a tubular edge 25 encircling the shank 19 near the loop 17 and a second edge of clip 24 is bent to provide a portion 26 encircling a second shank 27 extending from the loop 17 in diverging relation to the shank 19. The edge 26 forms a channel or hook portion 29 designed to accommodate the end of the shank portion 23. By pressing the portion 23 toward the shank 19, the shank portion 23 may be disengaged from the channel portion 26.

The loops 17 normally extend through the chain 10 to hold the hooks in properly spaced relation. Thus Figure 2, which shows the hook 16 removed from the chain 10, is not a true view in this respect for when the hook is completed a link of the chain iii extends through the loop 17.

The bottle and can engaging element is indicated in general by the numeral 30. In the form of construc tion illustrated the member 30 is punched or molded of resilient material such as rubber, certain types of plastic and the like. The member 30 is possessed of a body generally similar in shape to the figure eight including a smaller diameter ring shaped portion 31 and a larger diameter ring shaped portion 32 which is connected together by a narrow connecting portion -13. The inner diameter of the portion 31 is equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the neck 34 of a bottle B, while the portion 32 has an inner diameter about equal to or slightly smaller than the diameter of a body portion 35 of a can C.

Normally bottles such as B are provided with outwardly projecting ribs such as 36 encircling the neck near the upper end thereof and the bottle cap 37 is also of somewhat larger diameter than the neck 34. Thus, by stretching the ring member 31 slightly, this ring may be drawn over the neck of the bottle and will hold the same tightly enough so that it will not fall accidentally. However, the bottle holder may be readily disengaged from the bottle neck by distorting or stretching the loop 31.

A can such as C is normally provided with beads 39 near opposite ends and by stretching the loop 32 slightly, this loop may be drawn over the head 39 to encircle the can body 35. When once in place the loop 32 will hold the can from accidental disengagement. However, the material forming the loop may be distorted or stretched sutficiently to be disengaged from the can when desired. In the particular arrangement illustrated in Figure l a portion of the can and bottle engaging members 39 are turned in one direction and others are turned in the opposite direction. If the elements 30 are not detachably connected to the flexible member 10, these elements are usually alternated in position with every second holder positioned to engage a can while the intermediate element are positioned to engage a bottle. In the arrangemcnt shown in Figure l the members 30 may be readily reversed in position so the alternate arrangement is not shown.

In Figure 5 of the drawings I disclose a beverage holder D which is somewhat ditferent in form as it employs resilient elements designed to accommodate either a bottle or a can. The member D includes a flexible chain or cord 40 connected at one end to a ring 41. A second length of chain 42 connects a ring 41 to the center portion of an elongated bottle and can opener 43. As in the previous construction described, the ring 41 is sufficiently large to permit the can opener 43 to be threaded therethrough as will be later described. A series of bottle engaging elements 44 are linked to the flexible member 40 in longitudinally spaced relation. Alternated with the bottle engaging elements 44 are can engaging ele ments 45. All of the receptacle engaging elements are freely linked to the chain or cord so as to swing in any direction.

The bottle engaging element is shown as including a closed loop 45 preferably having a straight side 46 extending along a chord of the circular ring. As shown in Figure 8, the loop 45 is freely connected to the chain 40 by a ring or loop 47.

A clamping member is hingedly connected to the loop 45. This clamping member includes a generally circular ring 49 having ends which overlap to some extent and are bent to form arms 50 and 51 which extend in a generally radial direction. The arms 50 and 51 are provided with bent extremities 52 and 53 designed to encircle the straight portion 46 of the loop 45. The ends 52 and 53 are normally resiliently urged apart or into the diverging position shown in Figure 6. However, by exerting a pressure upon the arms 50 and 51 these arms may be moved together and the loop 49 expanded in diameter an amount sufiicient to permit the same to extend over the cap 37 and rim 36 of a bottle B. As soon as the pressure upon the arms 50 and 51 is removed, the arms spring into the position shown in Figures 6 and 8 to clamp the neck of a bottle.

In Figures 7 and 9 I disclose a device 45 designed to encircle the body 35 of a can C. This device is shown as including a looped portion 54 having at one end a shank 55 and at its other end a diverging shank 56. A clip 57 is provided with a tubular edge 59 enclosing the shank 55. A ring shaped portion 60 is secured at the end of the shank 55, this portion 60 terminating in a shank 61.

Spaced portions of a second edge of the clip 57 are bent to form tubular portions 62 encircling the diverging shank 56. As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings the portion of the clip between the tubular portion 62 is bent in a reversed direction to form a hook or channel shaped projection 63 which disengageahly partially encircles the shank 61. The end of the shank 61 is bent back upon itself as shown at 64 to provide a member which may be engaged by the fingers for disengaging the shank 61 from the hook 63.

In operation, the shank 61 is disengaged from the hook 63 and the natural spring of the material tends to expand the ring 60 beyond the diameter shown. The ring is then placed about the body 35 of a can C and the end 64 of the shank 61 is urged laterally until the shank 61 may engage in the hook shaped member 63. The resilience of the material forming the loop 60 is sutficient to permit this action while the ring still remains tight enough about the can to prevent accidental disengagement. In Figures 10 through 12 of the drawings I disclose another form of construction illustrated in general by the letter E. This device includes an clongated flexible member 65 which is preferably in the form of a cord which may be formed of resilient material but which has been successfully constructed out of relatively non-resilient material. The cord 65 is connected at one end to a ring 66 and a second cord or chain 67 connects the ring 66 to the center portion of a can and bottle opener 69. The ring 66 is of sufficiently large diameter so that the can opener 69 may be inserted therethrough.

The cord 65 is provided with spaced loops 70 which are formed by doubling the cord and clipping it together with clips 71. The loops 7! are of approximately the proper dimensions to fit over the neck of a bottle. If the cord 65 is formed of resilient material, the loop may be slightly smaller than the neck and may be stretched somewhat in passing over the cap 37 and rim 36 of the bottle neck. However, I have found that even where the rope is relatively non-resilient it: may be forced over the bottle cap and rim and the tendency of the clip 71 to hold the issuing portions of the cord parallel, holds the bottles from becoming disengaged accidentally.

If desired the hook 72 may be connected to the loop 70 so that the structure may be used as a fish stringer by stringing the fish upon the various hooks 72.

A series of loops 73 are alternated with the loops 70 and are similarly formed by clips '75 which clamp por tions of the cord together to define loops of proper size. The loops 73 are of proper diameter to encircle the body 35 of a can C and the loop is held upon the can by the beads or chimes 39. Hooks '72 may be provided on the loops 73 for the purpose previously described.

In Figure 13 of the drawings I disclose a manner in which any of the devices thus described may be attached to a boat or the like. For the purpose of illustration Figure 13 discloses the structure shown in Figure 10. However, by substituting chains for the cords 65 and 67 as in the previously described structures, Figure l3 could apply to any of the structures previously described. In other words, Figure 13 is added for the purpose of showing how the can opener 13, 43 or 69 can he used to lock the device in place.

In order to anchor the device to a boat it is only necessary to pass the can opener through an aperture or a round, afiixed portion of the boat and then to insert the can opener through the ring such as 11, 41 or 66. By

turning the can opener crosswise the device is firmly attached in place. Usually the cord or chain connecting the can opener to the remainder of the device is long enough so that the opener may be used without detaching the structure from the boat.

In the foregoing description I have described three forms of construction, all of which include an elongated, flexible member having connected thereto spaced members designed to encircle either a can, a bottle neck, or both and to hold such a container or series of containers to the flexible member. By properly connecting the containers and securing the flexible member to a boat, the bottles or cans may be suspended in the water and maintained at a lower temperature than would otherwise be available.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my beverage holder and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A longitudinally extending flexible beverage support for anchoring and supporting in relatively bodily spaced relationship a series of cans or bottles suspended in fixed relation in a cooling medium, the support including in combination an elongated, flexible member having a series of longitudinally spaced closed loops, a series of ring means mounted in said loops, receptacle engaging elements secured in relatively fixed spaced relation in said ring means, these elements including a part designed to extend about the body of the receptacle to be supported and suspend the same in relative longitudinal and bodily spaced relationship.

2. The construction described in claim 1 andin which certain of said elements are designed to encircle the necks of bottles and others of the elements are designed to encircle the bodies of cans.

3. The construction described in claim 1 and in which certain of said elements are designed to encircle the necks of bottles and alternate elements are designed to encircle the bodies of cans.

4. The construction described in claim 1 and in which the receptacle engaging elements are designed to selectively engage either a bottle or a can.

5. A beverage holder for supporting and anchoring a series of cans and bottles suspended in fixed position in a cooling medium including in combination an elongated, flexible member having a series of integral closed rings formed therein, a series of spaced connecting means connected in spaced relation through said closed rings, a series of relatively fixed beverage container supports mounted on said spaced connecting means, each said support including a resilient member designed to encircle the body of a can and a resilient element designed to encircle the neck of a bottle and hold the same in relatively bodily spaced relationship.

6. The construction described in claim 5 and in which each said element comprises a body shaped generally like a figure eight.

7. The construction described in claim 5 and including means detachably connecting said elements to said flexible member.

8. A beverage holder for supporting and anchoring a series of bottles suspended in a fluid medium including in combination an elongated, flexible member having secured thereto in fixed and spaced relation a series of expandable and contractable clamps designed to encircle in relative object spacing relationship the necks of bottles, and anchoring end means on said elongated flexible member.

9. A beverage holder for supporting and anchoring a series of cans suspended in a fluid medium including in combination an elongated flexible member having secured thereto at relatively fixed spaced intervals a series of elements designed to bodily space and resiliently encircle the body of a can, and anchoring end means on said elongated flexible member.

10. The construction described in claim 9 and including a second series of relative fixed resilient members designed to encircle the necks of bottles and bodily space the bodies of bottles secured to said flexible member.

11. The construction described in claim 8 and in which the bottle encircling element comprises a resilient wire.

12. The construction described in claim 9 and in which the can encircling element comprises a resilient wire.

13. A beverage holder for supporting and anchoring a series of receptacles suspended in a fluid medium including in combination an elongated flexible cord, a plurality of clamp means securing said cord together at spaced intervals to define a series of cord loops in relatively fixed spaced relation, said cord loops being of proper size to fit about the body of a receptacle and hold a series of receptacles in bodily spaced relationship.

14. The construction described in claim 13 and including hook elements supported by said loops.

15. A beverage holder and receptacle tool for supporting and anchoring a series of receptacles suspended in a fluid medium including in combination supporting means comprising an elongated,'flexible member having beverage receptacle supporting means secured in receptacle body spacing relationship along the length of said flexible member, and the anchoring means comprising a loop connected to one end of said flexible member, a second flexible member extending beyond said loop and connected thereto, and an elongated cooperative rigid member serving as a beverage receptacle opener secured intermediate its ends to the end of said second flexible member and being of sutficient dimensions to extend through said loop to thereby form an anchoring loop at the end of said flexible member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 871,622 Pettee Nov. 19, 1907 1,032,921 Mathias July 16, 1912 1,035,088 High Aug. 6, 1912 1,903,410 Cecil Apr. 4, 1933 2,004,247 McCaul June 11, 1935 2,050,841 Houghton Aug. 11, 1936 2,473,348 Sharps June 14, 1949 2,594,661 Lehmann Apr. 29, 1952 

